[Launch Alert] Launch on Schedule

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
                        www.spacearchive.info
		       
                            2013 September 21 (Saturday) 15:48 PDT
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                         LAUNCH ON SCHEDULE

Sunday morning's planned launch of an unarmed Minuteman III missile
from Vandenberg AFB is currently on schedule. The Minuteman is slated
to lift off from an underground silo at northwest Vandenberg during a
03:01 to 09:01 PDT launch window.

The launch is probably scheduled to occur at, or shortly after, the
start of the window, but can happen at any time during the six-hour
attempt. The launch can also be cancelled at any time.

If the launch happens before dawn, the nearly full Moon will make the
event more difficult to see in outlying areas and limit launch
visibility to a maximum distance of about 200 miles. In addition,
launch viewing within several miles of the coast may be hampered by
coastal clouds or fog.

If liftoff happens early in the window, observers in some areas of
California may see an interesting display at dawn as the Sun's rays
illuminate the missile's exhaust at high altitudes. To search for such
a display, scan the entire sky from 55 to 35 minutes before sunrise.

For information about viewing launches from Vandenberg AFB, see:

  http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=745

Detailed information about viewing Vandenberg AFB launches is posted
at the following location:

  http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

For weather forecasts, see:

  http://www.wrh.noaa.gov

Since the launch will test a critical U.S. weapon system, the
countdown will probably not be available off base.

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The following is a press release about the launch from the Air Force
Global Strike Command:


                 MINUTEMAN III TEST LAUNCH SCHEDULED
            Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command
                      Office of Public Affairs
                             2013 SEP 20

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE,  La. - An operational test launch of an
unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled
for Sept. 22, between 3:01 a.m. and 9:01 a.m. (PDT) from Vandenberg
AFB, Calif.

The missile's unarmed reentry system is expected to travel
approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall
Islands.

"Every test launch provides an opportunity to demonstrate the
readiness, effectiveness and accuracy of the weapon system," said Col.
Lance Kawane, 576th Flight Test Squadron commander.  "A tremendous
amount of teamwork is involved in conducting the test launch mission."

The launch team, under the direction of the 576th FLTS, includes
Airmen from the 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D., and the 90th
Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.

Air Force Global Strike Command's 576th FLTS is responsible for
tracking and telemetry systems on the missile, which collect mission
data and ensure safety requirements are met. The information obtained
during test launches enables planners to ensure continued sustainment
of the ICBM program.

Agencies across the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy
will use the data collected from this mission to ensure a safe, secure
and effective nuclear deterrent. The United States' ability to
maintain a strong, credible strategic deterrent is a key element of
U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and friends.

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